4th Earl of Dunmore, peer and colonial governor. He was the son of William Murray, 3rd Earl of Dunmore, and his wife Catherine (née Murray). He is best remembered as the last royal governor of the Colony of Virginia. He succeeded his father in the earldom in 1756 and sat as a Scottish representative peer in the House of Lords from 1761 to 1774 and from 1776 to 1790. British governor of the Province of New York from 1770 to 1771 and served as royal governor of the Colony of Virginia from 25 September 1771 until his departure to New York in 1776. He continued to hold the position until 1783 when American independence was recognized, and continued to draw his pay. From 1787 to 1796, he served as governor of the Bahamas. He is best known for the Lord Dunmore's Proclamation, also known as Lord Dunmore's Offer of Emancipation, on 7 November 1775, whereby he offered freedom to slaves who abandoned their Patriot masters to join the British. This was the first mass emancipation of slaves in North America.
4th Earl of Dunmore, peer and colonial governor. He was the son of William Murray, 3rd Earl of Dunmore, and his wife Catherine (née Murray). He is best remembered as the last royal governor of the Colony of Virginia. He succeeded his father in the earldom in 1756 and sat as a Scottish representative peer in the House of Lords from 1761 to 1774 and from 1776 to 1790. British governor of the Province of New York from 1770 to 1771 and served as royal governor of the Colony of Virginia from 25 September 1771 until his departure to New York in 1776. He continued to hold the position until 1783 when American independence was recognized, and continued to draw his pay. From 1787 to 1796, he served as governor of the Bahamas. He is best known for the Lord Dunmore's Proclamation, also known as Lord Dunmore's Offer of Emancipation, on 7 November 1775, whereby he offered freedom to slaves who abandoned their Patriot masters to join the British. This was the first mass emancipation of slaves in North America.
Inscription
North Side
On this site
are deposited the remains of
John IVth Earl of Dunmore
died March MDCCCIX
and of his Countess
the Lady Charlotte Stewart
daughter of
Alexander VIth Earl of Galloway
died November MDCCCXVIII
Family Members
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